Who we are

Spence & Spence has been providing independent financial advice to our clients in Scotland for over 20 years. We are committed to ensuring that we provide you with impartial advice to help you to make the right decisions, and ultimately to reach your long term financial objectives. We are authorised to advise on the entire range of financial products and the advice you will receive will always be delivered to you in an unbiased,  jargon free and easy to understand format. Our wealth of knowledge and experience is further enhanced through our long standing trading links and the below Adviser Profiles provide some individual examples of this.

Meet Our Advisers

Alison James

After completing a Neuroscience degree at the University of Edinburgh, Alison started her career in financial services in 2003, working in the mortgages department at Bank of Scotland. Since then, Alison has worked in technical roles at two Edinburgh financial planning firms before joining Spence & Spence as an Independent Financial Adviser in January 2012....

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Cairn Smith

Cairn joined Spence and Spence in October 2013 and is a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. With 14 years working in the financial services industry, he has considerable experience in all areas of financial planning. Cairn works with clients to help them to achieve their most meaningful financial plans and objectives, ensuring that they receive a personal...

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Jim Stewart

Even at a tender age Jim was asking searching questions – ‘Are you sure that this is the right club?’ for example. Maybe it’s time for you to ask questions of your investments and overall financial position, are my investments matched to my risk profile?, are my investments performing as they should be?, am I receiving value...

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Kenneth Cummings

Kenneth joined Spence & Spence in 2017 after self-funding his education to become a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Kenneth has an engineering and business background having graduated with a First Class Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Heriot Watt University. He worked with an oil company for 3 years, including overseas roles in Denmark...

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Rob Lockhart

Rob first took a position as a Financial Adviser in 1990, after leaving Edinburgh University with an Honours Degree in Politics. Having attained the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning Rob is a Level 6 qualified adviser and holds full “Chartered” status through his professional body – the CII. As an Independent Financial Adviser Rob offers unbiased...

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Ryan Bunyan

Ryan has worked in financial services since 2004. He holds the level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Services and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Insurers. Ryan has built up his knowledge and experience in various roles within financial services, but in recent years has focused on relationship management and advising clients on...

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photo of Alison James

Alison James

Position: Chartered Adviser

About me

After completing a Neuroscience degree at the University of Edinburgh, Alison started her career in financial services in 2003, working in the mortgages department at Bank of Scotland. Since then, Alison has worked in technical roles at two Edinburgh financial planning firms before joining Spence & Spence as an Independent Financial Adviser in January 2012. Alison is both a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, which represent some of the highest qualification levels in financial services. Alison also holds specialist qualifications for occupational pension transfers, equity release and long term care.

photo of Cairn Smith

Cairn Smith

Position: Adviser

About me

Cairn joined Spence and Spence in October 2013 and is a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. With 14 years working in the financial services industry, he has considerable experience in all areas of financial planning. Cairn works with clients to help them to achieve their most meaningful financial plans and objectives, ensuring that they receive a personal and professional service that is tailored to their needs. Cairn strongly believes that in order to ensure that his clients reach their agreed goals, financial advice requires a comprehensive and holistic approach. In his spare time Cairn is a keen golfer.

photo of Jim Stewart

Jim Stewart

Position: Adviser

About me

Even at a tender age Jim was asking searching questions - 'Are you sure that this is the right club?' for example. Jim Stewart v2 Maybe it's time for you to ask questions of your investments and overall financial position, are my investments matched to my risk profile?, are my investments performing as they should be?, am I receiving value for money on my investments, will my family be sufficiently provided for should something happen to me? These are just some questions that you may wish to consider, and ones that Jim would be more than happy to speak to you about. With forty years' experience in the Financial Services industry, advising and working in both Group Pensions and individual wealth management, he is sure he can come up with a solution that will help you to achieve your financial plans and goals.

photo of Kenneth Cummings

Kenneth Cummings

Position: Independent Financial Adviser

About me

Kenneth joined Spence & Spence in 2017 after self-funding his education to become a Diploma Qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Kenneth has an engineering and business background having graduated with a First Class Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Heriot Watt University. He worked with an oil company for 3 years, including overseas roles in Denmark and Qatar before buying and selling a small business. His range of experience out with financial services provides him with a strong grounding for providing tailored financial advice to a wide range of clients. Kenneth is a keen golfer and can often be found on the course at weekends.

photo of Rob Lockhart

Rob Lockhart

Position: Adviser

About me

Rob first took a position as a Financial Adviser in 1990, after leaving Edinburgh University with an Honours Degree in Politics. Having attained the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning Rob is a Level 6 qualified adviser and holds full “Chartered” status through his professional body – the CII. As an Independent Financial Adviser Rob offers unbiased advice and expertise in most areas of financial planning such as investments, savings, retirement planning, inheritance tax planning and personal and business protection as well as being one of our two Pension Transfer Specialists at Spence & Spence. Rob is available for personal meetings at Spence and Spence offices or at a client's home or workplace.

photo of Ryan Bunyan

Ryan Bunyan

Position: Adviser

About me

Ryan has worked in financial services since 2004. He holds the level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Services and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Insurers. Ryan has built up his knowledge and experience in various roles within financial services, but in recent years has focused on relationship management and advising clients on their financial needs. Outside of work, Ryan is a keen cyclist and sees this as the perfect way to relax.